DAVID VINCKBOONS | A wooded landscape with elegant figures promenading, and villagers with their cattle

Paul Delaroff (1852–1913), Saint Petersburg (his red wax seal on the reverse);
His sale, Paris, Galerie Georges Petit, 23–24 April 1914, lot 19 (as Jan Brueghel the Younger and Peter Snayers), for 920 francs to Sortais;
M.G. Sortais, Paris;
By whom sold, Paris, Hôtel Drouot, 10 June 1925, lot 11 (as Pieter Brueghel the Younger);
Anonymous sale, Paris, Tajan, 12 December 1995, lot 8 (as David Vinckboons);
Galleria Luigi Caretto, Turin, 1999;
From whom acquired by the aunt of the present owner.

K. Ertz and C. Nitze-Ertz, David Vinckboons 1576–1632, Lingen 2016, p. 313, cat. no. 20, reproduced p. 314 (as David Vinckboons).

The panel is cradled, flat and stable. A visible horizontal line of retouching, which runs the width of picture just above the centre, denotes either a join or an old, repaired split. The paint surface is clean, and the varnish is clear and even. There is also visible retouching to two vertical scratches running down from the centre of the upper margin, the longest measuring approx. 10 cm. Inspection under ultraviolet light confirms the aforementioned line of retouching, and further horizontal lines to possible old splits or surface cracks extending from the upper right margin and lower right margin, the longer of which measures approx. 35 cm. Restoration which probably dates to the same time as these interventions is found notably in retouchings to the background around the group of figures to the left, and scattered in the foliage centre and upper left. A more recent campaign of restoration is comprised of fine lines of retouching in the sky, some other scattered retouchings in the foliage (left), retouching along the lower margin, scattered in the ground in the centre of the composition, and in some of the foliage lower right. In overall good condition.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A protestant whose family had fled Antwerp to settle in Amsterdam in 1586, Vinckboons played a crucial role in the development of genre and landscape painting in the northern Netherlands. His wooded landscapes with dense foliage and village vistas, such as the present example, are from his early period when he was most indebted to the Frankenthal painter Gillis van Coninxloo.